Concussion Services

We are the leader in post-concussion rehabilitation in The Main Line Philadelphia area. Provided by licensed physical therapists, our program helps address the symptoms of headache, dizziness, and neck pain amongst others. In addition, we help restore balance, aerobic conditioning, strength, and flexibility. Through vestibular rehabilitation, manual therapy, balance retraining, and aerobic exercise, we carefully guide the individual through their recovery and prepare them for return to play.

At Bounce Back Physical Therapy, we are part of a multi-disciplinary team that is involved in post-concussion evaluation and treatment of children, adolescents, and adults. Often, the patient is referred to us after having been evaluated by the appropriate medical physician.

On television, injuries that turn out to be “just a concussion” are often anti-climactic events that the audience is led to believe will be over in days, if not hours. In real life, however, these traumatic brain injuries — which usually stem from a fall, severe shaking, a car accident or a direct blow to the head — can severely impact a person’s quality of life for several months.

Left untreated, concussions can even inhibit growth in young children, and bring on early dementia for older patients. Fortunately, the physical therapy field is continually discovering new ways to help patients suffering from long-term concussion complications.

Concussion-Related Issues

Chances are, you won’t be referred to physical therapy during the immediate aftermath of a concussion, when rest is the best way to cope with such short-term symptoms as vomiting, confusion, weakness and headaches. But if these problems persist and new ones arise, physical therapy can be helpful.

Long-term symptoms can be quite varied, depending on the nature of your injury, as well as your age and gender. Some problems for which people seek PT for concussions include:

Fatigue

Weight loss or weight gain

Ongoing headaches

Irritability

Loss of balance and frequent falls

Dizziness and lowered blood pressure

Muscle weakness and spasms

Decreased sex drive

Sudden loss of menstruation

How Physical Therapy Can Help

The natural fatigue and required resting that early concussion recovery entails often results in weakened muscles and lowered endurance. To combat that, your physical therapist will customize a strength-building program for you, as well as guide you through aerobic moves that help you regain that endurance.

Occupational therapy may be also be helpful. Your physical therapist will ascertain which daily routines have become challenging, and help you go through the steps of those routines, so that they don’t seem so overwhelming.

Headaches often come with the territory of recovering from concussions. To decrease their frequency, your PT sessions may include targeted massage, specific stretches, and even eye motion “workouts.”

Physical therapy programs for concussion often build in vestibular therapy, which helps you orient yourself during periods of lightheadedness or loss of balance. (Exercises such as fixing your gaze at a certain point in the distance, or using simple movements to stabilize your core and limbs, are invaluable during such moments.)

When you or a loved one need help coping with the emotional and physical toll of a concussion, call our office today. We’ll tailor a recovery program to cope with, and eventually eradicate, these traumatic long-term symptoms. For more information, Contact us at Wayne & Ardmore, PA centers.